American Kennel Club, Inc. SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF ...

FINAL APRIL 23, 2020

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American Kennel Club, Inc. SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AKC Offices at 101 Park Avenue, New York, NY and via Video Conference April 23, 2020

The Board convened via Video Conference on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Mr. Sprung was present in the NY Office. All other Directors participated in the meeting by telephone or video conference. The Executive Secretary also participated by video conference. Ms. McAteer was absent for the beginning of the meeting. The April 6, 2020 Special Board meeting minutes, copies of which had been provided to all Directors, were reviewed. Upon a motion by Mr. Powers, seconded by Ms. Biddle, the April 6, 2020 Board meeting minutes were approved (unanimously, absent Ms. McAteer). CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The Chairman reported on his appointment of two committees: The Judges' Approval Process (JAP) Committee The Committee will be charged with examining the existing judges' approval process. As questions and recommendations arise, the committee will consider changes (or not) and present their thinking to the Board for consideration. The committee will consist of Tim Thomas, VP of Judging Operations (Chair), Red Tatro, AKC Board of Directors, Robert Ennis, Director of Education, American Dog Show Judges and Sam McDonald, President, Dog Judges Association of America. The AKC Sample Constitution & Bylaws Committee The Committee will be charged with examining the current by-law template document, and to

"generate a product which is more suitable and flexible for handling situations faced by our

club's and fancier's in today’s times." The Committee also will examine the process and

timelines for making changes to a club's existing constitution and bylaws as well as how quickly

issues get resolved along the way.

The committee will consist of: Lisa Cecin, AKC Director of Club Relations (Chair), Rita Biddle, AKC Board of Directors, Carl Holder, the Delegate from Beaumont Kennel Club, Gretchen Bernardi, the Delegate from Mississippi Valley Kennel Club and Heather McManus, AKC VP & Deputy General Counsel. The Chair and Vice Chair will also sit on each committee as ex officio members. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was an EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss sensitive business matters. Nothing was reported out of this session. PRESIDENTS REPORT Board Action Items Mr. Sprung addressed the remaining action item and updated the Board on recent developments with the landlord of AKC headquarters and the AKC Museum of the Dog.


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He reported that the Sports & Events department is assisting clubs daily with postponements, cancellations and rescheduling. As of today, 6,741 events are cancelled. The rate is tracked each day and has fluctuated from an average of 100, then to a high of 175 and now 60. We are experiencing a spike in registration due to Covid19 compelling people to remain at home resulting in many obtaining puppies. Customer Service and Marketplace are playing a significant role in the increase of registration which we consider to be temporary. Our April projection is litters + 14% and individual dogs + 19%. Lastly Mr. Sprung reported to the Board his observations of employees: “The extraordinary work of staff, longer hours than normal and producing results that assist our 5,000 clubs, breeders and the public. I thank our Executive Committee meeting with the key employee group seven days a week to ensure every department is accomplishing well beyond their responsibilities while engaging and communicating with each constituency, as well as those working from the NC facility and remotely.” FINANCE Peter Rohslau, Controller, summarized AKC’s unaudited financial results for the period ended March 31, 2020. Revenue was reported as $6.5 million for the month of March and $20.7 million year-to-date. Operating income was reported as $397 thousand for March and $1.5 million year-to-date. Non-operating losses were $7.1 million in March and $10.5 million year-to-date, which occurred primarily as a result of losses in our investment portfolio from widespread losses in most financial markets. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President, Sports & Events, and Sheila Goffe, Vice President, Government Relations, participated in this portion of the meeting via videoconference. National Police Dog Competition The Board reviewed a memo proposing the concept of a National Police Dog Competition hosted by the AKC to take place in the fall of 2021. This event is a component of the Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) initiative. The AKC Detection Dog Task Force, an AKC Board-directed initiative, works to address the shortage of quality detection dogs needed for U.S. public and national security. Consistent with the mission of the DDTF, the purpose of the National Police Dog Competition is to:

• Promote AKC’s mission by publicly demonstrating the relevance of purpose-bred dogs and the value of breeding for type and function. Police/military working dogs are among the most recognizable purpose-bred working dogs today.

• Provide significant benefits to AKC’s government relations (public policy) and public relations efforts by building relationships with law enforcement and related government agencies that will be beneficial for advancing canine policies that recognize and protect the rights of all dog owners, and the ideals of the AKC to the general public.

• Improve public safely by promoting and improving the training and standardization of testing for police/military working dogs.

The proposed event would take place in lieu of an AKC Detection Dog Task Force Conference in 2021.


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In order to study the feasibility of the National Police Dog Competition, and to place a deposit on

a suitable facility, the memo requested that the Board approve an expenditure of up to $2,500.

This expenditure was not included in the original 2020 Budget.

Following a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Dr. Battaglia, the Board VOTED (unanimously; absent Ms. McAteer) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the normal notice procedures. Following a motion by Mr. Sweetwood, seconded by Ms. Biddle, the Board VOTED (unanimously; absent Ms. McAteer) to approve an unbudgeted expenditure of up to $2,500 for a deposit on a suitable venue to hold a National Police Dog Competition in 2021. AKC Communications Year End The Board reviewed the Communications department’s Year End coverage report.

2019 YEAR-END MEDIA COVERAGE ANALYSIS:

• Total media placements (print, broadcast and internet) qualitatively evaluated in 2019: Q1- 12,154 Q2- 4,375 Q3- 5,207 Q4- 5,436

• Total number of clips evaluated for 2019 was 27,172. Clips increased 18% year over year.

• Total audience reached with all clips (including print, online, TV, and syndicated stories):

• Total audience reached for 2019 was 52,060,150,949. Audience increased 19% year over year.

• Total publicity value achieved through media placements (print, broadcast and internet) qualitatively evaluated in 2019: Q1- $20,894,449.46 Q2- $6,935,261.59 Q3- $10,029,789.52 Q4- $10,699,194.33

• Total publicity value for 2019 was $48,558,694.90. Publicity value increased 16% year over year.

Detection Dog Task Force Update The Board reviewed a memo from the Detection Dog Task Force. The memo provided updates on the status, accomplishments and future of the AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF). The Detection Dog Task Force appreciates the AKC Board’s continued support of the program and the opportunity to make a difference for our country and our breeders. The DDTF intends for the program to demonstrate the crucial roles that purebred dogs, produced by thoughtful, purpose-driven American breeders, can play in protecting our country. Highly trained explosives detection dogs are the single most effective means by which to identify the presence of hidden explosives. Explosives detection dogs play a crucial role in protecting U.S. national security and public safety. Rapidly increasing worldwide demand for quality explosives detection dogs has resulted in skyrocketing costs for dogs and a reduction in the quality of available trained and qualified candidate dogs. Approximately 80-90 percent of explosives detection dogs used by U.S. military, law enforcement and contractors are obtained from overseas sources. Reliance on overseas sources means that the U.S. has less access to the best dogs, may pay more per capita for deployable dogs, and is reliant on a source of dogs


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potentially subject to interruption due to overseas geopolitical events, disease outbreaks and other factors. An obvious solution is for U.S. breeders to produce more high-quality purebred working dogs that can be deployed to meet American needs. The DDTF focuses on a range of activities designed to establish AKC as a respected authority, industry facilitator, and center of information and resources for explosives detection dogs. Objectives include building awareness of obstacles to U.S. bred-and-trained dogs, exploring multiple solutions to the shortage, educating key stakeholders, providing resources and assistance to breeders and puppy raisers, and fostering collaboration for continuous improvement. The new/tentative National Police Dog Competition Hosted by AKC is the newest proposed initiative for this program. UPDATES AND INITIATIVES The 2019 AKC US Detection Dog Conference was held Aug. 27-29, 2019. The 2020 conference scheduled for August 25-27 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the task force is developing plans to host a series of webinars by speakers who had been scheduled to present at the 2020 conference. The AKC Government Relations Department continues to focus on three major items: Obtaining accurate information about sourcing by Department of defense/Homeland security, and other users/purchasers of explosive detection dogs including the total full cost per capita of a deployable explosives canine; Building issue awareness and support for U.S.-sourced dogs and the value of high-quality local breeders/trainers to help meet these needs; Working with policy makers and industry experts to improve transparency and availability of standards to aid in preparation and procurement of dogs. Highlights of the GR effort: HR 2810: This bill passed with language that AKC Government Relations provided to increase accountability regarding the purchase of European dogs by the U.S. Government. This means the Department of Defense is directed by Congress to provide regular reporting on numerous questions related to the sourcing of military working dogs, including the number of dogs purchased from domestic vs. non-domestic breeders, the costs associated with each, information on the difference in accounting for domestic vs. European dog purchases; and how they determine which dogs to get. The report on this information is more than a year overdue. AKC GR understands the report has been written and is working through congressional staff and federal contacts to obtain its release. Issue-awareness: AKC has highlighted detection dogs in two capitol hill gatherings and plans to do the same at its gathering in 2020. (An April gathering has been postponed to later in the year, due to the pandemic.) GR has published articles, blogs, op-eds, and provided informational and in person presentations and other information to a wide variety of public officials at policymaker conferences, through breeder advocate outreach, and other resources. The Domestic Explosives Detection Canine Capacity Building Act: AKC Government Relations worked with House Homeland Security staff to develop legislation that would establish a public-private working group to develop a blueprint for decentralized, non-governmental domestic canine breeding network. The purpose of the network would be to assist in the production of high-quality explosives detection canines and modernization of canine training standards; and to establish baseline behavioral, medical and technical standards for explosives detection dogs


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and require TSA to incorporate those standards. The measure originally introduced as HR 4577 passed the House in 2018 but stalled in the Senate. At the 2018 DDTF conference, AKC GR launched a campaign to advance the measure as part of the 2019 Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act. The measure was passed in this manner, and Carmen Battaglia was selected to serve as a member of the working group. The working group’s report was published by the TSA in January 2020. In March 2020, the Department of Homeland Security/TSA published baseline behavioral, medical and technical standards in the federal Register. “Patriotic Puppy” program Established in 2018, the purpose of the Patriotic Puppy (PP) pilot program is to help breeder/trainers interested in preparing a puppy for a possible future as an explosive detection dog learn the fundamentals important to puppy development and training. The PP program manager and his assistant continue to guide the daily development of some 20 participant puppies from puppyhood through placement in a working role, ideally with a law enforcement handler. Participants are located throughout the country and utilize online resources for training and development. The program requires owners to monitor, measure, record and submit participant progress in several key developmental areas. Confident Puppy Course: Education for All Breeders & Puppy Owners The AKC Education Department is in the process of formalizing the content produced by and for the Patriotic Puppy program. This will result in the development of a series of AKC Canine College courses for all breeders and puppy owners who are interested in raising dogs with the qualities necessary for success as detection dogs, even if their destiny lies in other service work, in sports or simply as resilient, confident pets. The new AKC Canine College courses focus on the crucial developmental and social stages that puppies go through in the first year of life. The courses leverage published canine science and emerging best practices regarding puppy development stages, discuss behavior to expect during these stages, and provide information about specific exercises and social outings that should occur – or not occur – during each stage of development.

COMPANION and PERFORMANCE Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President, Sports & Events; Caroline Murphy, Director, Performance Events; Carrie DeYoung, Director, Agility; Pamela Manaton, Director, Obedience, Rally, Tracking; and Dr. Mary Burch, Director, AKC Family Dog Programs participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. AKC Title Recognition of French Herding Titles Earned at Parent Club Events The Board reviewed a recommendation for the AKC to recognize titles earned in French Herding events administered by the American Belgian Tervurens Club (ABTC) and the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America (BSCA). These titles will be recognized as part of the Parent Club Performance Events Title Recognition Program. This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Match Regulations – Option to Hold Fun Matches Open to the Public The Board reviewed a recommendation to modify the Match Regulations to allow and encourage AKC clubs to hold fun matches to introduce the public to the sports. The current Match Regulations state that once an AKC club becomes eligible to hold licensed events or sanctioned matches, it may not hold fun matches open to the public. This Regulation applies to clubs licensed for conformation, obedience, rally, tracking and agility.


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This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Allow Special Event Obedience & Rally Trials The Board reviewed a recommendation to allow clubs licensed for obedience and/or rally to

hold two Special Event Obedience Trials and two Special Event Rally Trials per year. A Special

Event Trial is defined as one where the club proposes a unique mix of AKC classes and/or a

unique eligibility criterion. The purpose of a Special Event Trial is to keep the sports fresh and

fun. A club holding a Special Event Trial may not change the other Regulations pertaining to a

titling class; the event must be open to all breeds including Canine Partners; and the classes

held at a Special Event Trials will count toward titles, except for non-regular classes. A Special

Event Trial must be approved by the Companion Events Department.

This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Pointing Breed Field Trials – A Dog That is “Walked to the Line” Does Not Count as a Starter The Board reviewed a recommendation to clarify that a dog that is “walked to the line” in a Pointing Breed field trial does not count as a starter and to assign responsibility for preventing this practice. The recommendation is to clarify that a dog that is walked to the line without being released or that is released and then quickly picked up in a Pointing Breed field trial does not count as a starter. Handlers that do this plus judges and event committees that allow this to occur may be disciplined. This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Ms. McAteer joined the meeting.

Pointing Breed Field Trials – 45 Minute Derby Stakes The Board reviewed a recommendation to allow licensed derby stakes to be run up to 45-

minutes at AKC Pointing Breed Field Trials.

The recommendation is to allow licensed derby stakes to be run up to 45-minutes at AKC Pointing Breed Field Trials. Currently derby stakes are limited to no more than 30-minutes. These longer derby stakes are occurring at some AKC trials; Staff recommends that AKC should acknowledge the accomplishments of these dogs. The length of a derby stake shall be stated in the event premium list. This recommended change to the Standard Procedures for Pointing Breeds may be approved by a vote of the Board. If approved, the change will become effective June 1, 2020. This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Pointing Breed Hunting Tests – Providing for Special Events The Board reviewed a recommendation to allow clubs licensed to hold Pointing Breed Hunting

Tests the ability to apply for Special Event hunting tests that are unique in order keep the sport

fresh and exciting or to celebrate special occasions.

The recommendation is to allow clubs licensed to hold Pointing Breed Hunting Tests the ability to apply for Special Event hunting tests that are unique in order to celebrate special occasions. A Special Event test is where the host club proposes a unique mix of classes or unique eligibility requirements. The AKC Performance Events Department may grant permission to modify the


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regulations provided it is consistent with the purpose of the Special Event. Permission to hold a Special Event hunting test is granted on a one-time basis. The Special Event shall count as one of the club’s annual events. This recommended change to the Regulations for AKC® Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds may be approved by a vote of the Board. If approved, the change will become effective July 1, 2020. This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Hunting Tests – Judges Address in Premium The Board reviewed a recommendation to clarify that the address of the judges shown in the Premium for Pointing Breed, Retriever and Spaniel Hunting Tests need only show the Judge’s city and state. This is consistent with the change approved at the March Delegates meeting for the field trial sports. This recommendation is a clarification to the Regulations for Pointing Breed, Retriever and Spaniel Hunting Tests and may be approved by a vote of the Board. Following a motion by Mr. Hamblin, seconded by Mr. Sweetwood, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the normal notice procedures. Following a motion by Mr. Sweetwood, seconded by Mr. Hamblin, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to approve the recommended clarification effective immediately. AKC FIT DOG Phase 2: AKC Approved FIT DOG Instructors The Board reviewed a recommendation to implement Phase 2 of the AKC FIT DOG program to establish AKC Approved FIT DOG Instructors. There has been strong interest expressed by CGC Evaluators to have instructor training in the area of canine fitness. Phase 2 of the AKC FIT DOG program will provide classes through the Canine College for CGC Evaluators who are holding basic canine fitness classes. If CGC Evaluators complete the AKC FIT DOG Instructor classes and pass the tests, they will be designated as AKC Approved FIT DOG Instructors. The AKC FIT DOG will consist of six modules. Each module will include an instructional video demonstrating how to teach the skills to owners and dogs, written materials, and an online test. Following a motion by Mrs. Wallin, seconded by Ms. McAteer, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the normal notice procedures. Following a motion by Mrs. Wallin, seconded by Mr. Sweetwood, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to approve Phase 2 of the AKC FIT DOG program to establish AKC Approved FIT DOG Instructors. Phase 2 of the AKC FIT DOG program will be launched June 1, 2020. AKC Trick Dog – Elite Performer Virtual Competition The Board reviewed an update on the results of the first national AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer

Virtual Competition that was held in 2019. Implemented as part of the AKC Family Dog

program, Elite Performer is the most advanced level of AKC Trick Dog and requires dog owners

to put together a routine for an audience. The virtual competition gave Elite Performers from

across the country an opportunity to showcase their trick dog routines.

The virtual Competition was very successful and AKC will hold the virtual competition again in 2020.


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CONFORMATION Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President, Sports & Events; Mari-Beth O’Neill, Vice President, Sport Services; Tim Thomas, Vice President of Dog Show Judges; Glenn Lycan, Director, Event Operations Support; Alan Slay, Director, Event Programs and Guy Fisher, Manger, Club Development, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Emergency Contact Number in Judging Schedules – Chapter 7 Section 12 The Board reviewed a recommendation submitted by the Delegate Dog Show Rules Committee

requesting that the Board adopt policy requiring clubs to include in judging programs an

emergency contact number of a club official at the show. If approved, policy wording would be

added in italics to Rules Applying to Dog Shows Chapter 7 Section 12.

This will be discussed further at the May Board meeting. Puppy of Achievement (POA) Program Update The Board reviewed an update on the status of the Puppy of Achievement program. In September 2017, Sports & Events launched the Puppy of Achievement (POA) certificate program. To earn the POA certificate, a dog must earn ten POA points. These points are earned by winning Best of Breed or Best of Opposite at 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy (BPUP) events or winning a first place in the regular Conformation Puppy, Puppy 6-9, and Puppy 9-12 classes. An analysis of puppy entries indicates that the introduction of the POA certificate program has had a positive impact on the sport. 2019 was the first year-over-year increase in the number of entries in regular Conformation puppy classes since 2003! In addition, there was a 17% growth in the number of BPUP entries. The number of POA certificates issued were up 9% from 2018.

Indications are that the POA certificate program is a successful component in encouraging exhibitors to enter their puppies in Conformation competition.

Junior Judging Competition Special Attraction

The Board reviewed a memo which presented “Guidelines for an All-Breed club or Group club to

host a Judging Competition for Juniors”. One of the recommended prerequisite activities will be

to have successfully taken the ABC’s of Canine Anatomy Course, the breed course if available

and the breed standard test in the AKC Canine College. Juniors are given a code to take the

courses for free in the Canine College. The completion of these tests and participation in the

Junior Judging Competition will give the Junior credits towards the Junior Ambassador Program

and be a part of their record.

A Specialty Show may offer the Junior Judging Competition for the breed being exhibited. If a

Judges Education presentation with workshop is being conducted, Juniors may be included and

participate in the hands on, with supervision, as part of the test.

The Sports Services Department will communicate out information about this opportunity to

engage young people in the sport.

Executive Summary – State of the Sports

2019 Sports & Events Highlights

• Total entries in AKC sports grew by 67,000, reaching an all-time high of 3.3 million.

• Conformation entries grew by 5,200, first growth in 16 years.

• Junior Showmanship entries were up 3.5%, third straight year of growth.


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• Puppy of Achievement (POA) Program. Based on the favorable results of a survey of puppy exhibitors following a one-year pilot, it was decided to continue and enhance the POA program. Enhancements included adding POA points to the dog’s record and sending an encouragement email when the dog is half-way to being awarded its Certificate of Achievement. Puppy entries in the regular classes grew for the first time since 2003. In addition, entries in the 4-6 month Puppy classes were up 17%.

• Implemented the 1+1 Initiative. Impact: (1) Increased all-breed shows entries by an average of 3.9 per show, (2) reduced absentee rate for dogs entered in the 1+1 situation by 50%, and (3) greatest impact was experienced by the lowest entry breeds. Lowest 20% of the breeds experienced a 4.7% increase in entries due to the 1+1 Initiative.

• Assistance to All-Breed clubs – implemented third show for clubs that meet the criteria designed to not impact neighboring clubs.

• Assistance to Specialty clubs – implemented larger territories for the less common breed Specialty clubs.

• Scent Work grew rapidly to become AKC’s third largest sport.

• Rally grew by 20% - fastest growth since 2006.

• Implemented modifications to the RACH (Rally) and OTCH (obedience) titles.

• Brought focus to temperament – launched the AKC Temperament Test November 1, 2019.

• Launched Fit Dog Club program – 384 clubs have signed up.

• Affiliated with UpDog (disc dog organization) as part of the Title Recognition Program.

• Held AKC’s first ever virtual competition for dogs that had earned the Trick Dog Elite Performer title.

JUDGING OPERATIONS Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President, Sports & Events; and Tim Thomas, Vice President, Dog Show Judges, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Oral Exam Key in Judges Books The Board reviewed a memorandum which presented a request from the American Dog Show Judges to add information to the judge’s book to indicate the appropriate oral exam for the respective breed based on AKC’s Oral Exam Chart. This will be discussed further at the May meeting. Dr. Battaglia did not participate in the next portion of the meeting. Conformation Dog Show Judges Annual Report APPLICATION DATA New Breed Applications (first time applicants) continue with the variance traditionally seen from year to year. As in the previous year, the number of Additional Breed applications submitted in 2019 displayed a significant decrease in the volume in the two years preceding the January 1, 2018 implementation of the revised Judging Approval Process (9/15-11/17) but an increase when compared to 2018. This was the expected and intended result of specific modifications made to temper the rate at which judges could apply and the maximum number of permit breeds judges could have at one time.


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The number of applications received in 2019 versus previous years:

ADDITIONAL BREED NEW BREED

Aps Received Breeds Submitted Aps Received Breeds Submitted

1/19 thru 12/19 401 2497 91 125

1/18 thru 12/18 351 1808 101 154

9/16 thru 8/17 933 5537 84 119

9/15 thru 8/16 843 6009 93 146

9/14 thru 8/15 246 1938 74 102

ADDITIONAL BREED NEW BREED

# Aps Reviewed

# Breeds Requested

# Breeds Approved

% Approved

#Aps Reviewed

# Breeds Requested

# Breeds Approved

% Approved

2019 366 2099 2039 97.1% 65 107 107 100.0%

2018* 293 1421 1366 96.1% 66 89 86 96.6%

2017 875 4928 4775 96.9% 73 88 86 97.7%

2016 749 5036 5004 99.4% 86 145 144 99.3%

Previous 237 1875 1491 79.5% 80 115 113 98.3%

2011 300 1945 1782 91.6% 99 155 153 98.7%

The number of complete groups approved to judge:

NUMBER OF COMPLETE GROUPS APPROVED TO JUDGE TOTALS

< 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Judges Groups

7/31/2015 2527 351 172 108 43 20 6 17 3244 1446

8/31/2016 2512 334 182 124 42 26 5 20 3245 1538

8/31/20171 2293 321 185 125 52 30 7 21 3034 1613

12/31/20171 2242 324 184 123 61 30 7 20 2991 1637

12/31/2018 2262 309 190 116 64 33 7 19 3000 1633

12/31/2019 2289 303 182 112 66 34 8 17 3011 1604


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Judging assignment distribution:

7/14–6/15 9/15–8/16 9/16–8/17 1/18-2/18 1/19-12/19

Total events (AB, LB, PS & S) 4092 4178 4,349 4428 4464

Total # of individual breed assignments 303,029 301,049 312,263 317,210 321,309

Total # of dogs in competition (D.I.C.) 1,222,474 1,204,798 1,171,690 1,184,640 1,188,067

Total # Judges w/assignment (AKC +

Foreign) 2188 2218 2178 2143 2129

# AKC Judges w/assignment 1872 1873 1856 1801 1793

# Visiting Judges w/assignment 316 345 322 342 336

% of AKC Judges w/o assignment 42.3% 42.3% 43.2% 40.0% 40.5%

% D.I.C. Judged by AKC judges 89.1% 90.1% 89.9% 89.9% 90.7%

% D.I.C. judged by 20% of all judges

w/assignment 77.1% 78.6% 77.3 % 76.2% 76.9%

% D.I.C. judged by 20% of total # of

AKC Judges 80.3% 81.1% 80.3% 80.4% 78.8%

% D.I.C. judged by 20% of AKC Judges

w/assignment 71.2% 72.1% 72.3% 71.2% 72.1%

Perception of Judges Survey

Prior to implementation of the 2015 policy, per the Board’s direction, staff distributed a survey to

the fancy to establish a baseline of its perception of judges. This survey was sent to customers

who had entered a conformation dog show in the preceding 12 months. The survey consisted of

ten questions in total, with the first to establish the experience of the individual completing the

survey. The intent was to utilize the results, and those received in subsequent surveys

conducted annually as a metric to gauge the effect, if any, the Conformation Judging Approval

Process may have on the fancy’s perception of judges.

Overall, the 2019 results display a net of +.05 across all metrics, when averaged to the 1/100th

the results appear flat when compared to the year prior, exceeding the metrics in the 2015

(baseline), 2016 & 2017 surveys.

Conformation Judging Statistics Judging Operations provided to the Board, statistics related to conformation judging applications

for the months January – March 2020, and the year-to-date summary statistics for 2020.


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FINAL REVIEW ACTION SUMMARY

2020 YEAR-TO-DATE

Number of

Applicants

Breed

Requested

Breeds

Accepted

Aps

Limited

Aps Fully

Approved

Aps

Denied

Aps

Wthdrn Aps Held

NB 18 24 22 1 17 0 0 2

AB 81 520 502 7 73 1 0 1

TOTAL 99 544 524 8 90 1 0 3

SafeSport – AKC Registered Handlers Program The Board reviewed a memo on SafeSport training, and the plans of the AKC Registered Handlers Program (RHP) to include it as a requirement for acceptance into the RHP. CLUBS Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President, Sports & Events; and Lisa Cecin, Director, Club Relations, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Club Relations 2019 Activity Report The Board reviewed a status report on trends regarding AKC clubs. Club Relations is responsible for the accreditation, advancement, and licensing for AKC’s 15 types of clubs, AKC member club status approvals, bylaw approval, territory approvals, sanctioned match program approvals, and informal guidance regarding club dispute resolution. It is the goal of Club Relations to consistently make it as easy as possible for clubs to associate with the AKC within the rules and policies established by the Board. Club Relations carefully listened to the needs of our clubs, taking necessary steps by collaborating with AKC’s Board of Directors to effect changes which directly benefit our clubs. Number of clubs as of January 7, 2020. Member clubs 636 Licensed clubs 4,129 Sanctioned Plan A clubs 92 Sanctioned Plan B clubs 112 Total Clubs 4,969 New Clubs in 2019 New Parent Clubs in 2019: (1) American Bolognese Club; (2) Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club of America New All-Breed Club in 2019: Great Plains Kennel Club of Northwest Iowa (Sioux City) New Group Clubs in 2019: Delaware Valley Hound Association (Pottstown, PA) Mississippi Gulf Coast Working Group Club (Lumberton, MS) New Member Clubs in 2019: Champlain Valley Kennel Club (Burlington, VT) Conroe Kennel Club (Conroe, TX) Two Cities Kennel Club (Yuba City, CA) Clubs that Dissolved in 2019: 6 local specialty clubs


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2019 Actions

• Expanded Mentored Conformation Event Option for Local Specialty Clubs which want to return to AKC after not holding events or filling a void of a club which dissolved in the area (effective October 2019) – one club approved under this program: Heart of Ohio St. Bernard Fanciers; and one club pending information for processing: Irish Wolfhound Association of the Mid-South.

• Continued Encouraging the Formation of Local Specialty Clubs to promote the creation of local specialty clubs for low entry breeds (effective August 2018). Two new clubs approved under this program: German Pinscher Club of the Southwest and Heartland Belgian Tervuren Club; and one club pending information for processing: Heartland Kerry Blue Terrier Club.

• Making life easier for Parent Clubs at the member and license levels by considering five experienced voting members to qualify to hold performance events.

• Continued to conduct outreach for clubs which have not held an AKC event in 3+ years as a proactive approach to minimizing inactive and dissolving clubs.

COMPLIANCE The following AKC Management actions were reported: (Final Board Disciplinary actions are reported on the Secretary’s Page) Dr. Battaglia rejoined the meeting via video conference. EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was an EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss sensitive business matters. There was nothing

reported out of this session.

It was VOTED to adjourn Thursday, April 23 at 5:20 p.m.

Adjourned

Attest: _____________________________________

Gina M. DiNardo, Executive Secretary

American Kennel Club, Inc. SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF ...

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